Old Boys turn out for Graeme

The weather was kind for the inaugural Graeme Stiff Memorial 5-a-side Football Tournament, which was held at the School Playing Fields on Saturday 12th December, 2009. There was a fine turn-out of spectators and players had come from as far as Germany, Glasgow and Portsmouth in order to show their support.

The ten participating teams included teams of staff, current parents, pupils and six teams of Old Boys spanning the past 25 years.

The teams were split into two round-robin groups of five, with the top two teams in each group contesting semi-finals. A minutes silence was held before kick-off, in memory of Graeme, as well as other Old Boys/Girls that we have lost.

Ratty's all-stars were runaway winners of Group S, whilst Freddie Booth's '2 Kewl 4 Skewl' team lost out on penalties for the runners-up spot to our 'Hong Kong Jacobeans'. Keeper Billy Wong proved to be their hero, by first saving and then converting the decisive kicks.

In Group J, 'Simon Grayson's Black & White Mackham Army' won all of their matches, after being held to a 0-0 draw by The Jacobeans in their opening game. Jake Addison's Red Devils were the surprise package by pipping Andy Gilletts' Class of '88 to second place.

In the semi-finals, the Mackhams were too strong for HK Jacobeans, whilst Ratty's all stars comfortably beat Jake's side, setting up an interesting final.

Gary Burns proved to be the Mackhams hat-trick hero in the final and Ratty's team had no answer to some fine finishing. Final score 4-1.

It seemed quite appropriate that Michael Stiff came forward to receive the winner's trophy from his Father and that the final was contested between teams made up from Graeme's former school-mates.

Special thanks must go to Mr Cleve for kindly sponsoring the tournament and to Julie Smart for giving up her day to come and organise refreshments. Thanks also to Stuart Blackbourn for his help in the running of the event.

The tournament will be an annual competition, so you had better start signing up players for next year. There was also some interest shown, from spectating Old Girls to have a Girls' tournament, running at the same time and this could certainly be arranged if enough interest is there.

Overall Results

Winners:  Simon Grayson's Black & White Mackham Army.
  (M Stiff, T Wong, B Rouse, R Wadham, Gy Burns, J Manley)

Runners-up: Ratty Ratchford's All Stars
  (A Ratchford, M Ratchford, N Douglas, G Riden, M Pierce, A Hyde)

=3rd:  Hong Kong Jacobeans
  (N Kong, T Li, K Ho, B Wong, T Tang, K Koo)

  Jake Addison's Red Devils
  (J Addison, S Dunk, C Sharpe, T Drew, A Weller, N Stafford)

5th:  2 Kool 4 Skool
  (F Booth, S Smith, F Mortin, M Sekitto)

6th:  Andy Gillett's Class of '88
  (A Gillett, P Lynch, S King, R King, G Sheriden, Mr France)

7th:  Jacobeans
  (J Hampson, P Parsons, S Turner, K Cooper, S Blackbourn, C Whitelam, K Davies)

8th:  Jacobean Parents
  (Mr Smith, Mr Woods, Mr Sears, Mr Whitelam, Mr Stevenson, Mr Drew)

=9th:  Alex Sudell's Class of 2005
  (A Sudell, D Rouse, J Franklin, L McEvoy, A Woadden)

  Paul Hewstone's 80's wonders
  (P Hewstone, B Fenwick, P Boundry, J Whitworth, Gg Burns, M Harvey)

The day was rounded off with a very enjoyable 'Race Night' in the Markham Hall. Thanks must go to Julie Smart and Michelle Brown for helping on the night.

All proceeds from the day go to 'Help for Heroes'. The total profit currently stands at just over 800.
Many thanks to all that supported the day. I am sure that Graeme would have approved.